Gender differences in psychosocial and clinical characteristics in the European Registry for Patients with Mechanical...

Not much is known about psychosocial characteristics of men and women receiving continuous flow left ventricular assist devices (CF LVAD).

To investigate gender differences in clinical and psychosocial (demographic, behavioral, psychological) characteristics in CF LVAD recipients.

We analyzed European Registry for Patients with Mechanical Circulatory Support (EUROMACS) data (N=2395, 16.8% women; 2011 to 2017) and compared pre-implant characteristics in men and women intended for bridge-to-transplant (BTT) or destination therapy (DT).

Women were underrepresented [DT (n=61): 13.4%; BTT (n=341): 17.6%]. They were more likely to be divorced/separated, widowed, in unstable clinical condition, and non-working (DT only), but less likely to be smokers, to have ischemic cardiomyopathy or diabetes, and younger (BTT only) than men. Missing data were abundant, especially those that reflect psychological characteristics (>87%).

Gender differences were noted, some specific to device strategy. Improved collection of psychosocial characteristics is warranted to elucidate their relationship to future prognosis.